“The permit was granted to WRUA to construct a wastewater treatment facility in Rankin County, to collect Rankin County wastewater, to treat wastewater at the facility located in Rankin County, to monitor and measure the wastewater in Rankin County and to discharge the wastewater at an outfall point … in Rankin County,” he wrote.

“While the city of Jackson asserts that this permit will have a greater impact on Hinds County, the (jurisdiction) of the subject matter is Rankin County.”

It was unclear at press time whether Jackson city officials would appeal Thomas’ decision. A further appeal would have to be decided by the Mississippi Supreme Court.

WRUA is planning to construct a wastewater treatment facility on approximately 58 acres along U.S. Highway 49 in Richland.

The facility would serve approximately 100,000 people living in Flowood, Brandon, Pearl, Richland, and along the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

Collections from those areas make up about a quarter of the flow into Jackson’s sanitary sewer system.

If West Rankin comes off of Jackson wastewater, the city will lose around $5 million a year in revenue, but would not see a reduction in costs for treating the waste.

The new plant would cost between $100 million and $400 million to build, according to estimates provided to the Sun.